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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSlate "Trump Reportedly Thought On Many Sides Statement Was Fine...
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/08/14/trump_reportedly_thought_first_charlottesville_statement_was_fine_resisted.html...Resisted Second Condemning White Nationalists"
By Elliot Hannon
On Saturday, the President of the United States condemned the violence on many sides in Charlottesville as white supremacists literally marched through the streets and killed an opposing protester. On Sunday, sensing that people werent particularly happy with his relativism on the deadly incident, White House spokespeople fanned out on the Sunday talk shows to sharpen the presidents tepid response. The White House also released an anonymously sourced statement, at last, specifically naming white supremacist hate groups as an actual, explicit problem. The President said very strongly in his statement yesterday that he condemns all forms of violence, bigotry, and hatred. Of course that includes white supremacists, KKK, neo-Nazi and all extremist groups, the statement read. Yes, of course.
With the president's response still lacking, and far-right white nationalist groups declaring Trumps noncondemnation condemnation a victory, the White House hastily scheduled a press conference Monday to try to get it right on the third try. The only thing is: Trump didnt want to. He thought he had already nailed it the first time. Thats according to the Associated Press, which spoke to aides about the presidents meandering response.
Loath to appear to be admitting a mistake, Trump was reluctant to adjust his remarks. The president had indicated to advisers before his initial statement Saturday that he wanted to stress a need for law and order, which he did. He later expressed anger to those close to him about what he perceived as the medias unfair assessment of his remarks, believing he had effectively denounced all forms of bigotry, according to outside advisers and White House officials.
Several of Trumps senior advisers, including new chief of staff John Kelly, had urged him to make a more specific condemnation, warning that the negative story would not go away and that the rising tide of criticism from fellow Republicans on Capitol Hill could endanger his legislative agenda, according to two White House officials.
So lets be clear the president of the United States didnt want or believe he needed to make his second statement actually condemning white supremacists Monday. From the APs version of events, Donald Trump does not see what he did wrong the first time and one of the ways his chief of staff tried to convince him to denounce the KKK was to make clear to him that going soft on unbridled bigotry was bad politically for him. Kelly played to the presidents profound selfishness in reminding Trump that he personally would lose somethinghis agenda (whatever that is)if he didnt do more to condemn the historical and ongoing scourge of white supremacist violence and intimidation.
After all of that, the president of the United States sauntered up to the podium at the White House on Monday and ticked off his administrations so-called accomplishments on the economy, trade, and job creation. As I said on Saturday," Trump said, still dragging his feet, as he got around to Charlottesville again. Racism is evil, Trump said. And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the K.K.K., neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans.
Made additional remarks on Charlottesville and realize once again that the #Fake News Media will never be satisfied...truly bad people!
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2017
Now, one more timelike you mean it.
tblue37
(65,487 posts)Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)and bring Fire and Fury like they have never seen before
irisblue
(33,023 posts)He appears to have limited, very limited ability to engage in critical & independent thought outside of real estate & self promotion.
Docreed2003
(16,875 posts)But why the leak to suggest that Trump didn't want to get specific today in calling out these groups and that he thought what he said Sat was sufficient??
Two options:
1). A truly concerned individual who is appalled by Trumps actions and wanted to expose them leaked this story.
Ok, that's certainly possible. But I left Green Gables a long time ago and have become, perhaps, far too cynical. I think the second option is more likely.
2). This stinks of Bannon & his ilk. Bear with me here. After Saturday's remarks, many of these Nazi stooges were thrilled that Trump had not called them out. They felt like he was still in their corner. With today's press conference, that sense of support fell away. What better way to reassure that base than to leak a story that suggests "Hey, the *president didn't really want to say those things today". Wink wink nod nod...."He had to go out there and be specific so that we can further the *president's agenda. This is just a game to calm the press and a road bump towards MAGA"
Yeah, like I said, pretty damn cynical...but I do believe the second scenario is much more likely than the first!
ecstatic
(32,731 posts)Awsi Dooger
(14,565 posts)Trump probably had an initial mentally prepared version that focused mostly on the opposing protesters and media. So he already softened it and was in angry disbelief that anyone dared suggest he move further.